Explore life in the countryside at our five-star museum, farmhouse and historic working farm.

Resources to use during your visit to the National Museum of Rural Life.

We are currently looking for volunteer farmhouse guides at the National Museum of Rural Life.

Our beautiful Clydesdale horses are one of the star attractions at the National Museum of Rural Life

The Wester Kittochside Farm at National Museum of Rural Life was owned and run by the Reid family for more than 400 years.

At the National Museum of Rural Life we have a significant collection of 20th-century harvesting machines in our large machinery store.

Thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, we are able to create opportunities for people of all ages, abilities and walks of life to enjoy our museums and connect with inspiring collections.

Become an Autumn Explorer this October half term with family storytelling, outdoor trails and ranger walks. Learn about beavers, bats, bugs and some other animals that live in Scotland today, as well as animals that lived here in the past.

The National Museum of Scotland is housed in magnificent buildings. Find out about its striking architectural details below, and explore them further on your next visit to our Museum.

Discover the latest information about visiting our museums

The National Museum of Flight, National Museum of Rural Life and National War Museum present further opportunities for entertaining on every scale.

The Scottish Life Archive is open to everyone. It aims to collect, record and preserve documentary and illustrative evidence of Scotland's material culture and social history.

From the early 20th century, the tractor helped to transformed farm life in Scotland. There are several examples on display in the collection at the National Museum of Rural Life, East Kilbride.

The National Museum of Scotland has become the first museum or gallery in Scotland available for exploration online via Google Arts & Culture’s Museum View experience.

Resources for your class trip to the National War Museum.

The Library is based in the National War Museum within the walls of Edinburgh Castle.

Your journey of discovery starts here.

Resources for your class visit to the National Museum of Flight.

Within the walls of Edinburgh Castle, the National War Museum tells the story of Scotland at war.

Wing your way to one of Scotland's top days out at East Fortune Airfield.

In the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, the National Museum of Scotland offers an impressive selection of venues for a wide range of events.

We are currently looking for volunteer aircraft guides at the National Museum of Flight.

Book a self-guided educational group visit to the National Museum of Scotland.

The National Museum of Rural Life is open and tickets are available to book online.

Learn more about what’s changed to help you plan your visit to the National Museum of Rural Life.

Resources for your class visit to the National Museum of Scotland.

Plan the perfect trip to the National Museum of Rural Life

The Wester Kittochside Farm at National Museum of Rural Life was owned and run by the Reid family for more than 400 years. Find out how the tenth laird and his family celebrated Christmas and New Year on the farm.

Mary Stewart's life was nothing if not eventful. Get the facts about her tumultuous life and death here.

Wherever you are, there are lots of ways to explore and learn about our amazing collections online.

Discover our new trail on a walk to the farm.

Explore the highlights of the museum and our working farm with this family trail.

More than 10 million objects make their home at the National Museum of Scotland. Discover the secrets of our treasures with this unique five-part series.

Take part in survival skills training for all the family at the National Museum of Flight this October half term. Learn how to set up a ‘leave no trace' camp in the Concorde Hangar and sign up for our family bushcraft workshop.

To understand how long lost objects were made in the past, the Glenmorangie Research Project has commissioned artists to recreate Early Medieval artefacts that rarely or barely survive.

The history of the Reid family and farming on the Wester Kittochside farm National Museum of Rural Life.

In 2016, we celebrated 150 years since the magnificent building that houses the National Museum of Scotland first opened to the public. Explore the Museum’s history here.

An update on the new hangar.

Discover objects on loan to the new Trimontium Museum in the Scottish Borders

Our working farm at the National Museum of Rural Life is home to Ayrshire, Aberdeen Angus and Highland cattle, Tamworth pigs, sheep, hens and Clydesdale horses.

Discover the Museum brings classes from schools who are not regular visitors, from areas of mid-high deprivation within Edinburgh, to the National Museum of Scotland for a free, self-led, supported visit.

Join curator Lydia Prosser for a guided virtual tour of our Kingdom of the Scots gallery at the National Museum of Scotland.

Visitors discovered some of the treasures within the National Museum Scotland's significant collection of oracle bones, the second largest in the world outside of China.

Our library services support the research and learning needs of Museum staff, visitors, and the wider external research community.

Long before the French Revolution, the Scots had invented and were using the beheading machine known as the Maiden. It was used to execute criminals and political opponents of the crown from 1564 to 1710.

After 4,000 years the plough is still with us and its development has been at a slow and steady pace but the basic technology has remained the same. Discover more about this essential tool through ploughs in our collection.

Recreate your favourite museum objects and places using the LEGO® you have at home!

Discover how engineers are working to make air travel less damaging to the environment with this museum trail.

Join Chief Chebe as he takes you on two African storytelling adventures at the National Museum of Scotland.